There is FOOD around the Corner!

We can't wait for our short Thanksgiving Break
Off School for Thu and Fri! Woot!
 Recap of the fun we've had over the last two weeks.
Still recovering from the shock of Politics.
But that isn't holding us down.

We went to the beach! Dad's watching the boys surf.

The boys played basketball after church.

My girls snagged a hug with a teddy bear.

SPEED RACER's Review

Overall:  We had some Curriculum Changes and some Mental Health and Rest days off but we got a lot done and  have found a great pace.

End of Subjects in this Block Schedule

Sequential Spelling FINISHED and in comes SPELLING YOU SEE
Spanish (Landry Academy) WE DROPPED THE CLASS and will not be replacing it until I find him a live tutor.
Body Language class (Udemy) is finally finished!
Prodigy Math Game is now his to do on his own time. Which he tinkers with here and there.
English Literature is being retired as we got through 70% of the course
American Literature is being retired as we got through 70% of the course
 
The kiddos took off Tuesday to hang out with friends at the beach. So glad my friend came and scooped them up for me. Also, my oldest son, Razor Ray has his best friend since Kindergarden visiting us and we have been entertaining him.

Easing into new schedule and subjects
Clep Prep books for Sociology, Humanities and Psychology
Weekly Grammar Practice
Spelling You See
IXL Basic Math Review
Algebra Practice Workbook

CHALLENGES: Algebra and oh, did I say, Algebra. Now the child is getting a HUGE helping of PRACTICE which makes perfect and WRITING OF STEPS since he keeps forgetting them.

Day Classes that he is doing Independently

(7am-8:30am) [MON and WED] - BLOCK Classes
Landry Academy Classes [October Break started this Monday-this schedule is last week's]

Writing ER: is live on Monday's. He had to update a Wiki page description of a grammar fact and write a biography about one of his classmates. He also had to do some editing in his Editor and Chief book.

Python Programming is live on Wednesday's: He is working on his 10th project and creating a critter game.

(8:30am-9am) Snack Break

(9 am-11am) DAILY Independent

STUDY.COM
*These take him 20 minutes to watch the video and do the Quiz or Test.

Psychology
Sociology 
Macro Econ
Physics
Algebra 1 review
Information Systems (Study.com)
Humanities
Earth Science

(11am-12:30am)

CTCMath (Algebra 1 - Supplement): DAILY surprisingly he is doing well in this. We may get his Algebra facts solidified yet! He does a 10 to 15 minute lesson per day.

Membean (Vocabulary Builder) he had some slacking going on. He didn't do a few days of this.

IXL (Language Arts - Review)  he is doing better on these than he did last year. It could be his Landry class or the fact that he is taking 2 English courses this year.

IXL (Basic Math - Review)  He does about 10 minutes of drill practice.

(12:30-1:00pm) - lunch

(1pm-2pm) DAILY Independent

Geometry (Teaching Textbooks as our Math Lab) these few weeks he's been skipping doing the PROOFs. He claims they are too hard but he does them just fine with Abeka.

Ace Reader (Speed Reading & Comprehension) He finished reading practice everyday. The lessons are about 10 minutes long.

(2pm-2:30pm) DAILY Independent

Copy work is doing Great Writer's Quotes in cursive, he writes so well in cursive and to think he's a lefty! It takes him 10 minutes

Wordly Wise he finishes these pretty quick and have been making between 75% and 85% on his test.

(2:30pm-3pm) Snack Break

Mom or Dad 'Assist' with these courses

(3pm-4:45pm) DAILY with Mom / Dad or Sibling assistance.
Geometry AbekaAcademy he is doing well in this class now. He has a firm B and passes his quizzes and test. However, for his test, I do allow him to have it open book.


Algebra 1 (Saxon with DIVE dvds): He has a test every Monday, then we go over the questions he got wrong with the DIVE video. He typically doesn't watch the videos unless he needs help with the questions.


2 to 3 days a week Interchangeably

Spelling You See  He doesn't like the 'writing' but he is learning the words and that's all that matters.

Bible Devotions he does this with his dad two times a week. He reads the scripture and lesson and he and dad discuss.

Daily Grammar this offers hand on book practice of grammar facts.

(7-7:30pm) Dinner

(7:30pm - 8:15pm) DAILY with Mom / Dad or Sibling assistance.

Chemistry he had two test each week. He didn't do well on one of them so he re-did it over the weekend.


(8:15pm-9:15pm) 3 or 2 days a week with Mom / Dad or Sibling assistance.
Psychology, Humanities and Sociology CLEP Prep We read the chapters of the REA and AP books together, take notes, and he finishes the end of chapter test.

Tiger Lilly's Week: High Schooler /Dual Enrolled 15 yrs old

CHALLENGES: Getting her games and papers done in her 'unschooling' curriculum. Yeah, she said she wanted to do the Game Design, but now that she is realizing all that goes into it, she is trying to bail. I won't let her, so her phone will be held hostage until she created her portfolio this year.

Changes:
Her 'See the Light' art class is done.
Research (Dual Enrolled College Class) is done. It was only 4 weeks (yay!)

New Class:
Youth Digital Unity 3D and C# course to start Dec. 9th
Japanese - In person class starts December 2nd

(9 am-10:30am) DAILY
Landry Academy
Network Pro she has class on TUESDAY . She thinks the class is boring since most of the work is on TestOut. However, she is learning and doing the interactive test.

10:30am-11:30am - 2 days a week
Software Development class (Homeschool Class by mom) she is working on her racecar game. She is writing her Game Design Specification .

11:30am-12:30pm- 3 days a week [DUAL ENROLLED COLLEGE CLASS]
Calculus  She completed 2 weeks of instruction. So far I've had to hire her a tutor to work with her 2 times a week. It's working out well so far.

5pm-6:30pm - 3 days a week - PE
Soccer and Martial Arts . She basically quit soccer. So I am planning to add to her martial arts. She does go to the gym with her dad.

7pm-8:30pm - 4 days a week
Japanese is coming to an end with the tutor. She has a live class for the month of December.

Build Video Game using Unity 3D she is using WebUcator (javascript) and Udemy (Unity) to learn the programs for this. This week she is working on a astroid game.


8:30pm-9pm - 2 days a week
3-minute Devotional for Girls I haven't had the time to do it with her. We may have to move this to Saturday mornings.

WORKING PARENT's LOG

Meals with a houseguest over, my cooking has been crazy bad. We've been eating out here and there. We plan to have friends over for the 1st Thanksgiving at home in over 5 years. We used to just go on cruises for that time.

Cleaning. The house is still wrecked (going on week 3) but we are cleaning for Thanksgiving.

Work & Life Balance. Working, looking for a new job (my consultant contract time is running out) and trying to juggle kiddos. Wild, but fun.

Lesson Planning. My printer broke. So, this is difficult. We are getting a toner and will be back on board soon.

Rest. Did I mention how I love my new sleeping mask and earplugs. I love them! I am getting great sleep. No more coffee for me.

Marriage Check Up. I've been neglecting my husband. I didn't make his lunch or coffee and he is not happy about it. So I traded him a back massage, and even made his favorite for dinner for the Sunday football game.

Why this Working Parent Doesn't Complain About Homeschooling

Why I Don't Complain About Homeschooling or Working

It allows me the opportunity to take a step back when I want to.

My life growing up was challenging. With a single teenage mom who worked two to three jobs to support us, I have nothing to complain about. My life is so much easier.

You know what too? She never complained about caring for my brother and I. She always was resourceful and worked hard.

THEREFORE, I DON'T COMPLAIN. I MAKE SOLUTIONS

When I am having a difficult time with a point in my life, a situation, a child, my marriage, a job, I do the following:

1) Pray and fast on the issue.

This is a powerful tool and time with God. It humbles me everytime, yet empowers me to know, that things will work out in God's time at HIS will.

2) Jot down a plan A, B, C

For me this is a need. It helps me to see that there are many ways to solve or deal with the issue at hand.

3) Talk about it

I to talk to my husband, my friends, my kids about situations. They all give good insight and for my kids, I like them to see that mom and dad are human, make mistakes, pray through those mistakes and KEEP GOING no matter what.

WHAT DOES COMPLAINING GAIN US?

Sometimes it is good to complain. To vent. To let out all the bubbled up negativity. THEN YOU MUST MOVE FORWARD.

When we stay in a negative space, thought, place too long - it sucks us in and surrounds us. You become bitter and mean.

Therefore, vent it (even to yourself outloud) then FORGET IT. Get over it.

Force a smile on your face.
Remind yourself of your blessings.
Re-focus on your needs or actions to circumvent the issue.
Let it go.

WHY I SPECIFICALLY DON'T COMPLAIN ABOUT HOMESCHOOLING?

Because we have tried the other ways, and this way has been the MOST FRUITFUL to us. It's given us freedom. Allowed my kids to own their successes, because we guide them through making their dreams come true. We are allowed mistakes, and can recover from them since we decide the roads and the inputs our child receives. THERE IS NO REST or PERFECTIONs, only the journey we carve out.

It all ends in the same place - GROWING UP, GETTING A JOB, HAVING THEIR OWN FAMILIES. We just chose a different road to get there.

Our Weekly Check - up

REWIND our LAST 2 WEEKS

It has been a few weeks of ups and downs. Busy schedules got the best of us, but we decided to do forced relaxation.

We went to the beach two weekends in a row!

Speed Racer Piloted a glider this weekend.

He had a monthly birthday celebration with Young Eagles.

Myself and Rose went to the Ms. Hawaii Pageant! 

And we were disappointed with America's choice for president. BUT...are hopeful

My older kids and husband and I did Early Voting.

SPEED RACER's Review

Overall:  We are getting into a rhythm and are 75 days into our Abeka curriculum.
We've accomplished a lot these two weeks with our curriculum and with tons of outside activities.

DRAMA Club was interesting. The kids are video taping their skits and posting them on youtube. My son only had to do one scene this week and will have to remember his parts for the next scene.

PLAYDATE he had with his friend from Young Eagles was wonderful. They plan to try and surf next time. He spend the day with his friend's family then we took the boys to the movies.

BASKETBALL was a winner. His older brother Razor Ray is the coach and they won their first game.

MARTIAL ARTs he is working towards getting his first belt this November. Keep your fingers crossed.

CHALLENGES: Algebra practice. This subject is kicking our behinds. He just doesn't seem to be solidifying the fact. SO.... We are now doing 1 page of practice a night. This is challenging as he already does some Algebra in the morning with CTCMath, then in the afternoon with SAXON and now at night with this hands on practice book. I am hoping that his understanding will turn around.

Day Classes that he is doing Independently

(7am-8:30am) [MON and WED] - BLOCK Classes
Landry Academy Classes [October Break started this Monday-this schedule is last week's]

Writing ER: is live on Monday's. He had a paper to do and some Wiki updates to do for grammar. He did well on those but his quiz grade bought his overall grade down to a C.

Python Programming is live on Wednesday's: The test was hard and he didn't do well on it this week. He still has a B for now, but I will see how the grade changes when he turns in his project.

(8:30am-9am) Snack Break

(9 am-11am) DAILY Independent

Psychology, Sociology, Macro Econ, Physics, Algebra 1 review and Information Systems (Study.com) he really enjoys the 5 to 7 minute video and is doing well on the 5 question test in each subject. I have him doing the Chapter TEST on Friday's since they are usually 30 questions long.

Body Language (Udemy) he is really dragging this class out. He skipped several lessons and I am making him go back and do them over. These lessons and vidoes are 15 minutes long.

CTCMath (Algebra 1 - Supplement): DAILY .He gets this done in 20 to 30 minutes a day depending on the topic. He's been scoring 70's and 80's on the lesson quizzes.


Membean (Vocabulary Builder) has helped him with his vocabulary and deciphering of words. He is still on Level 2.


IXL (Language Arts - Review)  he is doing better on these than he did last year. It could be his Landry class or the fact that he is taking 2 English courses this year.
Prodigy (Math Game - Basic Math Review)  he is now getting bored with this. He claims because when he in online, other kids aren't. So I may remove this next month and just have him do the DRILLS with CTCMath.

(11am-12:30am) [THU only] Online Live Class Independent - BLOCK CLASSES
Landry Academy Classes [October Break started this Monday-this schedule is last week's]

Spanish live is on Thursday's: This teacher posted a Quizlet list for the kids to go over daily with homework. He started working through the list on Monday. He does a bit of the weekly homework a little each day.


(12:30-1:00pm) - lunch

(1pm-2pm) DAILY Independent


Geometry (Teaching Textbooks as our Math Lab) he is on schedule and making higher grades in the 90s.

Ace Reader (Speed Reading & Comprehension) We realized that there were more Sessions in this tool so he is forging on with them. This has REALLY helped his reading spead. We will probably use (7 Speed Reading after this completes)


(2pm-2:30pm) DAILY Independent


Copy work is doing Great Writer's Quotes in cursive, he writes so well in cursive and to think he's a lefty! It takes him 10 minutes

Wordly Wise he finishes these pretty quick and have been making between 75% and 85% on his test.

(2:30pm-3pm) Snack Break

Mom or Dad 'Assist' with these courses

(3pm-4:45pm) DAILY with Mom / Dad or Sibling assistance.
Geometry AbekaAcademy he is doing well in this class now. He has a firm B and passes his quizzes and test. However, for his test, I do allow him to have it open book.

Sequential Spelling  We are getting into the more challenging test so his test have lots of corrections.

Algebra 1 (Saxon with DIVE dvds):This is really helping in part with his geometry also. He's doing okay on his test. I think its the spiral recall that helps. He got a B on his test (but had to redo some questions).

(5pm) Martial Arts  or Soccer
PE (Soccer & Martial Arts) I am ready for Soccer to be over. It seems we overbooked and the getting him to games has become stressful on Saturdays.


(6:15-6:30pm) 2 days a week with Mom / Dad or Sibling assistance.
3-minute devotional for guys is on Wednesday and Friday's. We now have allowed him to lead in nightly family prayer.

(7-7:30pm) Dinner

(7:30pm - 8:15pm) DAILY with Mom / Dad or Sibling assistance.
Chemistry his Abeka he did well on his open book Test. We prefer to stick to the concepts and not worry about memorizing the formula.


(8:15pm-9:15pm) 3 or 2 days a week with Mom / Dad or Sibling assistance.
English Literature and American Literature We decided to watch the movies and plays for both of them subjects. His test and quizzes are a challenge but I've let him do them open book.

Tiger Lilly's Week: High Schooler /Dual Enrolled 15 yrs old

She is coasting into the home stretch!

CHALLENGES: She is working on her Game Developer Portfolio. This is a love and hate project. She wants to do it, but doesn't like all the work she has realized has to be done to prepare to do it.

(9 am-10:30am) DAILY
Landry Academy
Network Pro she has class on TUESDAY . Her 'TESTOUT' is going well. The teacher just meets with the students and chats, but outside of that, testout is doing all the 'interactive teaching..

10:30am-11:30am - 2 days a week
Software Development class (Homeschool Class by mom) she presented and turned in her GAME FRAMEWORK STUDY paper and is now working on her GAME DESIGN SPECIFICATIONs paper.

See the Light Art Class 2 days a week and now she has grown more in her art by using 'Perspective'.

11:30am-12:30pm- 3 days a week
Calculus  She completed 2 weeks of instruction. So far I've had to hire her a tutor to work with her 2 times a week. It's working out well so far.

1:30pm-4:30pm- 3 days a week [Dual Enrolled College Courses with UMUC.edu]
Research This class just started. She is only 2 weeks in but it is only 4 weeks. She has reading, quizzes and one paper due a week.

Her finished college courses:

Nutrition Finished this online course at UMUC with a B

Relational Database Design Finished this online course at UMUC with a B

Technical Writing Finished this online course at UMUC with a B
Information Application Management  She finished this class with an A. 

5pm-6:30pm - 3 days a week - PE
Soccer and Martial Arts . She basically quit soccer. So I am planning to add to her martial arts. She does go to the gym with her dad.

7pm-8:30pm - 4 days a week
Japanese she is transitioning to an in person course soon. Now she is just using her tutor.


Build Video Game using Unity 3D she is using WebUcator (javascript) and Udemy (Unity) to learn the programs for this.


8:30pm-9pm - 2 days a week
3-minute Devotional for Girls We have totally gotten behind on these.

WORKING PARENT's LOG

Meals Bad meal planning this week. They had to eat out a few times since we didn't get to the grocery store early enough in the weekend.

Cleaning. Meh, we had a week of mayhem then we cleaned up on Sunday while dad and I shouted orders.

Work & Life Balance. It's been challenging since I have to study for a certification exam, look for another jobs since mine was a temporary contract position, and do software patches, programs and maintain a busy few weeks lately.

Lesson Planning. I have to get back on track. I've been doing the schedule way to late in my weekend.

Rest. Back on track. I now have a sleeping mask and earplugs. I love them!

Marriage Check Up. Date night only once in the last weekend. We did try to get out the house, but one kid trailed with us so, no date night.